Who: Rowan & Mitsuko What: Girl talk and goofing off. When: Day 3 of the cruise Where: Rowan and Liam's room. Rating: medium-ish for a little of what they talked about.
It had been a couple days since Mitsuko woke up on the cruise. Not the first time it happened and she remembered it happened a few years before, although she couldn't for the life of her recall who she roomed with back then or if they were even still in town. Oh well.
She had already located Katniss and Prim the day before, glad her two 'sisters' were on board. She also wanted to check on Rowan but waited until today to do so. She texted the other girl and they agreed to meet in Rowan's room. Mitsuko headed there and knocked on the door, waiting for her friend to answer.
Just like Mitsuko, Rowan couldn’t for the life of her tell who had been her roommate during the last cruise. For some reason, she felt like it had been three people, but once again she couldn’t say for sure. What she did remember was the cruise and all the fun it had been, then again she was still trying to decide how she felt about the places they were stopping this time around. Not that she wouldn’t make the best of it!
Rowan had been glad to hear from her best friend though she was sure her friend was going to have a field day with who she was sharing a room with. There was no way her friend wouldn’t make some type of comment, making Rowan glad that Liam had gone off to do something and the room was empty. Changing into jeans that had holes in it by design and a tank top, she pulled her hair up just as she heard a knock. Going over to the door, she opened it and smiled at the sight of her best friend. “Hey!” She exclaimed, hugging her friend whether she liked it or not. “Come in and tell me how you’re enjoying the trip so far!” She stepped aside so Mitsuko could come inside.
Mitsuko had given Rowan the choice on where to meet, so it probably was very lucky that Liam had gone somewhere else for the time being. Mitsuko would've totally teased him too if he had stuck around.
She easily returned the hug, Rowan being one of the very few that she didn't mind hugs from. She grinned as she walked inside, flopping on the couch and making herself at home. It was Rowan and the two of them were comfortable enough around each other that Mitsuko was sure the other girl wouldn't mind.
"It's been fun so far. I mean, I wish we were in the Bahamas or something but hey, it's still nice to get out of town for awhile." While Madison Valley could be interesting at times, they were still trapped under the dome and getting out didn't happen very often, so she was glad for the chance. "What about you?"
Rowan had no problem at all with her friend making herself comfortable on the couch. Whether it was on this cruise or back home, she always made sure her friends knew that they were always welcome around and to make themselves at home. So Mitsuko just flopping on the couch was no concern to Rowan at all.
Moving to sit on the bed, she pulled her legs up to sit cross legged cause that was her chosen sitting position most of the time. “The Bahamas would be so nice!” She called out, falling back on the bed before getting back up. “To relax in the sun would be amazing, chill by the water, and maybe get the little umbrella drinks. Can you get them in non alcoholic drinks?” Rowan asked, making a slight face since she really had no idea. It wasn’t even about being old enough cause she knew many who didn’t let that stand in their way, it was just not of any interest to her. She was fine with a normal drink that had no alcohol in it. “It’s been fine. Like you I wish it was somewhere warmer but I’m excited to check out so many spots and hit up the different activities being offered.”
Rowan was not going to miss out on making the most of her trip.
"Right?" Mitsuko said with a sigh, kicking off her shoes and putting her feet up. "When I first realized we were on a cruise again, I was hoping we'd be someplace tropical. So I'm kind of disappointed when I found out we're in Alaska." She sighed again. "You probably could. I would've just gone with something alcoholic." Luckily for her, she had a fake ID and looked a bit older than she actually was. A little bit of makeup and certain clothes also helped.
"We should definitely do something together." What, she didn't know yet but they could figure it out later. "Who'd you end up rooming with?" She wondered if Rowan got stuck with someone she knew or a complete stranger like she had.
“I mean it’s a great trip with probably a lot to see, but yeah, I’d rather be somewhere warm where I can walk around in a bikini top to get color without worrying about the cooler weather.” Rowan was wanting some color and to relax in the sun, especially when in Madison the winter time would roll back around soon enough causing them unable to enjoy the warmer weather once again. “You’d think whoever is behind this might feel we had enough of winter stuff during the winter, and give us a break but nooooo,” she added, laughing. “Of course you would because you’re such a bad influence in my life,” Rowan stuck her tongue out at her friend before laughing. “As we all know I’m not one for drinking alcohol so it’s umbrellas in non-alcoholic ones.” She had enough friends here and back home who drank and shouldn’t so she didn’t care. Though she knew her friends all knew she’d be there if they ever got drunk and needed some help, never leaving them on their own.
Rowan agreed completely, nodding without a second thought to them doing something together. She had been waiting for the question, and knew what would be coming next. “You make one comment, I'm coming over to tackle you,” she warned before sighing, and covering her face since she knew her best friend. “Liam,” she wasn’t even sure if Mitsuko heard her or not, but that was not her problem.
"Man, I wanted to get a tan too," Mitsuko pouted as she slumped down. She usually had a nice one during the warmer season but it had faded a bit. She'd been hoping to get one again now that it was July but no, they had to be in Alaska. Oh well. Maybe she could work on it another time. She still had August after all.
"Pfft, yeah right," she scoffed. "It's the dome. It probably thought we wanted more winter and cold." The dome never really did care what they thought or wanted, it just did whatever it felt like with no rhyme or reason. "Well, just a little," she laughed. She'd always been a bit of a bad influence on people, so it wasn't a surprise Rowan considered her one. At least this time she didn't get Rowan to do criminal activities like she did back home. She couldn't even imagine trying to convince her to. That was how much Mitsuko had changed.
She raised an eyebrow at what Rowan said and she barely heard the name. Inside she was grinning but on the outside, she kept a straight face. "I won't say anything," she said in a serious tone. There was a few moments before she finally spoke. "But I got extra condoms if you two need any."
“Same! And to soak up all one can do with their summer before winter and college classes start back up.” Yes, she knew there were plenty of summer activities she could do on the cruise and at the ports, but it wasn’t the same. Rowan could complain a bit while planning to make the most of this trip even if she still stood by wishing it was somewhere warmer rather than in Alaska. Most likely others were feeling the same, then others were probably all for this type of trip.
Mitsuko wasn’t right about the dome and how it didn’t really care about what they thought, wanted, or anything like that. It was a wild card that did whatever it wanted without a care in the world. “Didn’t people get enough with the Titanic portal? Guess this was a way to make sure we all got more,” she replied with a frown, hating the dome if that was the thought process. Then again that wasn’t fair cause even if this wasn’t the ideal way Rowan wanted to be spending her summer, this was an opportunity that many people didn’t get. “I need a little bit in my life. Or I’d be a complete bore,” she added, laughing. Rowan had no problem with the small bit of bad influence in her life, knowing she needed it. Just like Mitsuko also needed some good influence in hers.
Hearing how Mitsuko wouldn’t say anything, a very questionable look came over Rowan’s face not trusting that for even a minute. Starting to uncover her face slowly as if she was waiting for another shoe to drop or something. And there it was. The comment caused Rowan to grab a pillow and throw it at her friend. “I will banish you from this room!” That was a huge lie but oh my god Rowan wanted to kill her. “No, no, we do not need them and shush! But he does have such a great looking body.”
"Guess not. Although it is strange that there's a ship involved twice now this year." Maybe it was the Year of the Ships or something lame like that. Mitsuko hadn't gone through the portal to see the Titanic, even when there wasn't any danger of it sinking. Part of her wished she had since it was, well, the Titanic. Oh well. "Just like I need some good in mine." Rowan had always been the little angel on her shoulder, telling her not to do anything bad or criminal. While she might've been a bit of a bad influence on Rowan, Rowan had been a good influence on her. They balanced each other out like that.
She tried really hard not to say anything but she couldn't help it. When the pillow was thrown, she gave a little yelp and ducked, managing to avoid it. "Hey, just be glad I didn't say anything while Liam was here as well." Because that probably would've been more embarrassing. "He does? How do you know? Did you see him shirtless?"
“Glad it isn’t just me who finds it strange. Though for me it’s how the ship incidents are so close together. It’d be one thing if one was in January and the other in December but it isn’t like that. All I know is if we’re crashing into something, then I’m pushing someone off my door because it will be mine,” she added, shaking her head quickly. Though anyone who knew her knew even with saying that, Rowan would probably give up the door to someone else if they needed it. Rowan tilted her head with a smile on her best friend saying how she needed some good in hers. “Do I need to come over and give you a hug?” She held out her arms, teasing Mitsuko. Rowan was happy to have Mitsuko in her life because without her, she wouldn’t always know when to have a little fun. The two balanced one another out, and helped each other. If her friends ever showed up from back home, Rowan would be excited to introduce them to her best friend, hoping they’d all get along though she was sure they would.
Rowan’s mouth dropped open at the comment about saying something while he was here. “I WOULD KILL YOU!” She exclaimed rather loudly before covering her mouth, hoping the walls weren’t so thin that someone may have heard. “If you were to do that, I’d be pushing you overboard,” she threatened, dying even at the thought of that being said in front of Liam. Her face was even turning a bit red and he wasn’t even in the room. Rowan nodded, “Yes, I saw him shirtless and,” she brought her hand up to fan herself, something she would only ever do with Mitsuko, “so hot.” She still had no idea how this hot and sweet guy had any interest in her, but she wasn’t about to complain.
"Poor Liam, going to die like Leonardo DiCaprio," Mistuko said as she spoke in a fake sad tone, pretending to wipe a tear from her eye. But she had a feeling Rowan was the type to save others before she saved herself. The complete opposite of Mitsuko who would save her own ass. Except now, she'd probably try to save Rowan and the Everdeen sisters, something she'd never thought she'd do before. "You already gave me a hug," she stuck her tongue out, even if she wouldn't fight it.
"Good thing he's not here then. I wouldn't want to go for a swim with the whales." But she knew Rowan would never do that. While she never actually met Liam or spoken to him, Mitsuko had seen him around town and on the network. When Rowan mentioned she had seen him half naked and had a hot body, Mitsuko just simply stared for a moment before yelling. "And you still didn't do anything?! I would've jumped his bones the second I saw him."
“Who said it would be Liam?” She asked, raising an eyebrow at Mitsuko with the hint of an amused smile. “You keep talking about a certain someone and you’ll be the one getting pushed off the door.” Not that she would ever do that to her friend or anyone, but she also was hoping they wouldn’t be crashing into anything where the joke would become a reality. Rowan stuck her tongue right back out at her best friend, making a face. “Yes, but it sounds like you’re calling out for another one. Maybe I should yell down the hall to anyone in their room to come give you a huge for a big group hug.” Even the idea of that was too much for Rowan. She didn’t mind hugging her friends, but strangers? Also a group of strangers or most strangers since there might be some she knew? No, thank you.
Rowan laughed, rolling her eyes. “But it sounds like so much fun swimming with the whales?” She offered up, pretending it was the best idea anyone could have in the whole world. A small head tilt happened at Mitsuko staring at her, the yell caused her to jump for a moment, laughing after a moment because she hadn’t expected that at all. “That’s you! I checked him out but no, and it was hard. But also the last time I had sex…it didn’t go that great.” That was an understatement of the year. Which she knew this wasn’t something her and Mitsuko had ever talked about so she knew a question or two was probably coming from her.
"I'm pretty sure we both can fit, just like Rose and Jack could've. Even if there wasn't enough room for both, she could've just lied on top of Jack and who wouldn't want to be on top of Leo?" Yeah, huge parts of that movie didn't make sense to her. She still watched it though, whenever there was nothing else going on and she was bored. "That sounds horrifying," she made a face. No, she didn't care for hugs and definitely not group hugs from strangers.
"It's probably better than swimming with sharks," she shrugged. Or dolphins. She hadn't meant to startled Rowan but she shrugged. Rowan was right - Mitsuko would have no problems initiating sex if it had been her. She raised an eyebrow. "Do I want to know what happened?" she asked. It was a rhetorical question, of course. Of course she wanted to know.
“I know I wouldn’t have minded that age Leo on top of me. Leo of the time now? He’s too old and while still alright looking, I’m all good. But I know we both could fit; however, you annoy me and you’re going into the water. Actually, it’d probably be a fight of who could push who off the door first.” She added with a laugh, knowing that wasn’t true. Yes, she figured with Mitsuko it was more likely, but she was assuming it depended on the person. Rowan would be safe other than some joking. “Just one giant group hug where everyone is squeezing you tightly with love.” Even with joking, a face was made. Rowan was all good on hugs from strangers since she wouldn’t trust it.
“You know what would be so cool? Get in one of those cage things and be lowered to have the sharks swim around you.” It was something she had seen and always wanted to do. Rowan was a tiny bit adventurous depending on the situation and that was one she had no problem with. “The first and only guy I slept with first off didn’t even know my real age,” she admitted, knowing Mitsuko was going to have something to say considering how Rowan was these days. “But also my first time ended up on the internet. The boy stalking me and making my life hell had managed to get into my house and recorded us then posted it online after taunting me with it.” Very few knew the whole story, and Rowan kept meaning to tell Mitsuko only for something to come up, trusting the woman in front of her.
"He definitely could at that age, although I wouldn't mind if he did now." It wouldn't be the first time she'd been with a much older man, although she did try to date people her own age these days. "Pfft, you know I'll totally win." Growing up around gangs and doing crimes, Mitsuko had experience fighting. But she figured Rowan wouldn't make it so easy. She just made a face too and muttered "gross".
Her eyes lit up. "Actually, that would be kinda cool." She was serious too, she would've loved to go swim with sharks. Too bad that wasn't happening here. The waters were probably way too cold for that and there probably weren't any sharks around anyway. The closest to that was probably whale watching and it was as exciting.
She frowned a bit as Rowan told her. "That's awful, I'm sorry." She could relate as her first time had been recorded as well, although she had no idea if it ended up on the dark web or the bastards just kept it for their own sick pleasure. "And you think the same thing will happen if you sleep with Liam?"
“Nope, he just doesn’t do it for me anymore. But at that age? Yes, please I wouldn’t mind having him in my bed.” Rowan added with a laugh, shaking her head. She couldn’t remember the last time she joked with anyone like this back home, and it felt good to do it with her best friend around here. Though she was serious on no present day Leo because she was with one older guy once, and that had been one headache after another. Never ever was she putting herself on the line again by going for someone older.
On Mitsuko saying how she would win, Rowan looked at her like she was from another world or was talking a different language. “Excuse you?” She held up her fists in front of her like they were about to fight right now. “Don’t think I won’t bite to win!” Maybe not with Mitsuko but her father had taught her if her life was in danger to fight no matter how dirty her or her sister had to get. Though she quickly moved away from the fighting joke and nodded at the idea of swimming with the sharks. “Doesn’t it?!?!” Rowan definitely loved the idea, and now wished they had gone somewhere that had this possible. “I got it! We do a girl’s vacation with you, me, and maybe see if Liz wants to go along with maybe a few others. Do some research to see if there are any places where we might be able to do that on that list of possible options.” Liz was a friend so she’d get an invite with it up to her on whether she wanted to come. If the two could find a place that worked for what they wanted.
At the question, Rowan didn’t even pause to think as she shook her head no. “Not at all. He’s a sweetheart, but considering that was my first and only time having sex with someone…I’m not in any rush. Some of the internet seeing it, and then it being used to keep me in line or it’d be sent to my dad has me not really rushing things.” There was also the small fear of how someone from thezoo might show up, and decide to make a part 2 though she tried to keep that far in the back of her mind.
—
"He was definitely better looking back then," Mitsuko grinned. But to be honest, she didn't really care. She'd been with plenty of older men, so it didn't bother her if there was any age difference.
"Hey, if you bite then I'll bite back," she said, holding out her arms as if to say 'come at me, bro'. Then she burst into laughter because she just realised how ridiculous they must look now. Mitsuko couldn't remember the last time she ever just laughed and hung out with a friend. Or if she ever really did. Maybe she had but it was just all fake laughter. This time it was all genuine.
"Oh my god, we should totally do that!" Another vacation, and swimming with sharks? Yes, please! They'd definitely have to see what options there were once they were back in town. But for now, she was just going to focus on the cruise.
"Well, that's good. And it's totally up to you when you're ready." At least Rowan seemed to have control of that. Unlike Mitsuko who was taken without her permission more than once. Rowan was also lucky that Liam was, in her own worse, a sweetheart and he was hopefully understanding. If not, then Mitsuko had no problems kicking him in the balls.
"Anyways, I think we talked about possibly a spa day. Wanna go check it out and see what they have?"
Rowan only nodded in agreement about him being better looking back in the day. He still wasn’t bad looking, but she wouldn’t sleep with him. Nope, even with being legal the one time she was with someone older had made it where she’d stick to guys around her age.
“I’m now picturing someone floating by us and watching us fighting and biting one another to take over the door,” she couldn’t help but laugh at the image that was now inside her head. Though the image in front of her between them was just as hilarious and probably a great thing Liam wasn’t walking in on this or they were in public, knowing how silly they would look.
She couldn’t help herself as she bounced in the spot she was sitting at the idea, loving it so much. “Yes, we do! We’ll have to take down the list of places then do our research to see which one has the option for some swimming with the sharks.” A task that would and could only be done back home, and would happen though right now it was all about this cruise and making the most of it.
“I know, and when I’m ready then I’m sure he’ll be all for it,” Rowan didn’t see Liam as the type to pressure or mind. Made her feel even more comfortable on the whole situation, and also how she knew she had plenty of people who would kick his ass if he did anything to her. Not that she was worried since he was probably the first really good guy who she was sorta seeing that she wasn’t lying or hiding things from.
Jumping up from her seat, she nodded. “Yes! Let me get some shoes on and then we can go hit up the spa.” Moving to grab her shoes and pull them on so they could leave.